Elizabeth “Bette” Richardson 1932-2012

April 26, 2012

WEBSTER CITY -- Elizabeth Ann "Bette" Richardson, 80, of Webster City, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Van Diest Medical Center following a sudden illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catho-lic Church, with Reverend Stephen Meyer officiating. The family will be present to receive friends and family prior to the mass. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in Emmetsburg, following the funeral mass and luncheon.

Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 27 with recitation of the Rosary at 6:45 p.m. followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m.

Elizabeth Ann Deneen, daughter of John and Viola Lohnes Deneen, was born Jan. 30, 1932 at Emmetsburg. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Emmetsburg in 1949. She attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and received a teaching certificate.

On June 15, 1955 she married Martin Sterling "Todd" Richardson at Emmetsburg. The couple re-sided in Webster City and raised five children. Mr. Richardson died Oct. 18, 1992. Bette taught kindergarten at the Hilltop Elementary School and was a substitute teacher in the Webster City Community Schools for several years. She also worked at the Hamilton County Unemployment Office and for 20 years as a deputy in the Hamilton County Treasurer's Office.

Bette was a kind, compassionate, loving mother and grandmother. Her easygoing nature and creativity made her a very special person to all who loved her. She loved nature, gardening and reading. Bette was gifted in creating crafts and home decorating. She always had a new home project in the works with ideas and a paintbrush in hand.

Ms. Richardson is survived by five children and spouses, Linda (Dean) Clasen of Humboldt; Doug (Michelle) Richardson of Norwalk; Thomas (Ronda) Richardson of Blairsburg; Teri (Ric) McClemons of Tuscon, AZ; and Beth (Jeff) Vaage of Grimes.

She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Evan and Deanna Clasen; Katie and Molly Richardson; Kalli Richardson; Ian and Rachel McClemons; Erin and Andrea Vaage; sister, Patricia Underriner of Littleton, CO; sister-in-law Pauline Richardson of Webster City and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her spouse, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Dr. Paul Underriner and niece, Kathy Underriner.

She was a long time member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given on her behalf to the Iowa Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Disabled American Veterans Association.